Originals opens new store

Woo hoo! San Antonio now has two, count ‘em, TWO Originals Beads & Gems stores. TWO. It’s just so unbelievable, I can’t stop saying it. Two

The new Originals, which started its grand-opening weekend Saturday, is located at 555 W. Bitters Rd. #108, in The Shops at Artisans Alley. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, like the downtown Originals in La Villita. For those of you who, like me, get confused about where to park at Artisans Alley, the store is right in the front of the complex, so you can park in that front lot.

But the best part? Everything’s on sale this weekend (through Sunday) — 20 percent off! The store is also offering free beading classes through Oct. 15. The three free classes are Introduction to Beading, Beaded Chain ID Badge or Eyeglasses Holder, and Findings and Finishings, all taught by Originals owner Barbara Garrett, who is also a silversmith and lapidary. For more information on these and other classes, or to sign up for a class, call the Artisans Alley store at (210) 490-ROCK (7625).

I would have mentioned this BEFORE today, since I had heard rumblings of a second Originals — Maria left a comment in August telling everyone the new store was coming in September — but I figured since I was gone at the beginning of the month, I had missed it.

I got a tour of the store from Barbara, who has plenty to show off. Here’s a list of the highlights:

• Five kinds of Czech glass beads

• Original’s famous $4 wall (well, the beads on the wall are $4 a strand, not the wall itself)